Corporate Travel News

Alliance Airlines Australia extended (21-Jun-2017) a contract with Citic Pacific Mining (CPM). The contract includes air charter services and an initial 50% increase in services to the new Cape Preston (Sino Iron) Aerodrome. The opening of the Aerodrome provides direct access to the site for CPM and will see weekly frequencies increase from 16 to 24. [more - original PR]

Brisbane Airport media and corporate communications manager Leonie Vandeven reported (20-Jun-2017) to CAPA the airport recorded 11% year-on-year growth for international traffic in May-2017. This was the second consecutive month of double digit growth. The airport attributed this to strong demand on routes to South Pacific islands and capacity growth to/from North Asia. Brisbane Airport anticipates further growth on North Asia traffic, with Cathay Pacific increasing frequency seasonally and simultaneously removing Cairns stopover from four times weekly Brisbane-Cairns-Hong Kong triangular service during winter 2017 season, and China Airlines operating daily Taipei-Brisbane from Dec-2017.

Air New Zealand is set to embrace technological innovations and digital channels to better communicate with customers, and also to therefore increase onboard ancillary revenues (Future Travel Experience, Jun-2017). Air New Zealand manager direct ancillary revenue, commercial Dianne Parry-Ernst stated the carrier has been examining the customer journey to identify stages where ancillary products have a limited presence and strengthening the retailing approach at these key points in order to increase customer awareness and offer customers the right product at the right time, via their preferred platform. An example of this strategy includes the launch of the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, Bravo Oscar Tango or Oscar, to improve customer communication.

Brisbane Airport launched (20-Jun-2017) a terminal guide for travellers with dementia, developed in cooperation with Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration: Carers and Consumers (DCRC-CC). The guide identifies the international dementia friendly symbols and takes users through the different airport zones, outlining what to expect in the bag screening area, duty free regulations, customs, quarantine, transfers and immigration. CEO and MD Julieanne Alroe said the resources kit would be integrated into customer service training for airline staff and other airport workers. [more - original PR]

New Zealand Air line Pilots' Association (NZALPA) believes the cost of training is bringing about a shortage in the supply of pilots (NZ Herald, 21-Jun-2017). NZALPA president Tim Robinson stated "student loans covered only two-thirds of the cost of training for a commercial pilot licence and while not at crisis point, the shortage of pilots was starting to bite. There is a pilot shortage in New Zealand and we believe the issue is only going to get worse in the next few years - there's a lack of trained pilots going through the system to go on to employment".

Qantas and Alaska Airlines announced (20-Jun-2017) an enhanced partnership agreement with new codeshare services and reciprocal lounge access for eligible customers. From 26-Jun-2017, Qantas will codeshare on four new Alaska Airlines routes between San Francisco and Orange County, Minneapolis, Albuquerque and Kansas City, alongside service between Los Angeles and San Jose. The new services are in addition to Qantas' existing codeshare arrangements with Alaska Airlines to 15 destinations within North America. In addition, Qantas Frequent Flyer members with a Gold status or higher and Qantas Club members, will have access to Alaska's lounges in Los Angeles, Seattle, Anchorage and Portland. Alaska Airlines' top tier frequent flyers with Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold and above, and Alaska Lounge members, will have access to all 13 Qantas operated International Business and 24 Domestic Qantas Club lounges when they travel on a Qantas operated international or domestic flight. [more - original PR]

Flight Centre Australia released (19-Jun-2017) its first data report on the trends and habits of Australian Customers for the year ending Dec-2016. The report also includes an interactive website which allows customers to review data based on individual post code, top travel destinations, customer spend, the role and effects of social media on travel habits and travel dates. Key highlights from the report include:

• 59% of Australians travelled internationally;
• 50-54 year olds spent the most on travel than any other age group;
• 18-34 year olds make up 22% of cruise passengers, higher than Gen X;
• The average travel duration is 15 days. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport CEO Lyell Strambi reveal plans for enhanced use of facial recognition technology, more automated check-in kiosks and offsite check-in and baggage drop service at Southern Cross train station in the city (Herald Sun, 19-Jun-2017). Mr Strambi said: "It's just an expectation of a modern city and a modern airport", the new retail and restaurant offerings at terminal 2 also aim to create an environment that "lives up to the experience of the city". Proposed landside upgrades include an indoor theme park and driverless rail link to ease road traffic congestion.

Busselton Mayor Grant Henley announced "the city has made the proposal to postpone" Busselton Airport expansion project in order to "return immediate savings" to the Western Australia Government (The West Australian, 19-Jun-2017). Mr Henley assured the project will be prioritised "when funds can be made available" and the shortage of fund will not deter "overall project objective". The expansion project was initially expected to complete in 2018.

Nadi International Airport announced its second Burger King outlet will open on 21-Jun-2017 (Fiji Times/The Jet Newspaper, 19/20-Jun-2017). The fast food chain's first outlet was located in airside, providing limited access to general public.